August 2009

Studies have shown that victims of domestic violence will often stay in an abusive situation because they fear their pet will be neglected, injured or killed if left behind. Concern for a beloved companion animal's welfare prevents or delays more than 50% of battered individuals from escaping domestic abuse, continuing to endanger themselves, their children, and their pets.

With their award winning Animal Safehouse Program (ASP), the Rancho Coastal Humane Society is helping to end this cycle of violence. The ASP provides a support service to domestic violence shelters which are unable to accept pets. They provide temporary shelter for the pets of victims of domestic violence, allowing battered individuals to escape abuse and seek safety. Because of this assistance, no one is forced to choose between abandoning a beloved pet and staying in an abusive relationship. With help from the Animal Safehouse Program, survivors and their children can seek shelter, medical treatment and counseling, knowing their pets are safe.  

Rancho Coastal Humane Society created the ASP in 1997 after numerous requests from domestic violence shelters seeking a place for their clients to house their pets. The ASP accepts referrals from domestic violence and other social services agencies, law enforcement, physicians and private therapists. Since 1997, the ASP has helped hundreds of families and their pets break away from the cycle of domestic violence.

Cruelty to family pets is becoming increasingly recognized as an important indicator of violence in the home. Often children who have witnessed animal abuse or have been victims of violence repeat these acts. Overwhelming research has shown that children who abuse animals suffer from serious emotional problems, which could escalate to violence against humans. 

In a nation where domestic violence is an epidemic and companion animals share homes with families (i.e. nearly three-fourths of American households with school age children have at least one pet), there is need for concern.  We need to take seriously the early signs of a child having a propensity toward violence.  Violence prevention and intervention, promoting awareness of the cycle of abuse, and instilling in children empathy and compassion towards animals are all goals of the Animal Safehouse Program. To find out more, click here.

© Photo credited to Rancho Coastal Humane Society